When “More” Is Never Enough
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Welcome to Mind Over Money, a weekly newsletter where I share actionable ideas to help you transform your relationship with money to build financial confidence and independence.
Today's topic: Money Worship Archetype
Ever thought: "If I just had more money, life would finally feel easier, better, happier"?
You’re not alone. This belief is one of the most common financial scripts people live by. Psychologists call it the Money Worship archetype—and while it feels like a path to security and freedom, it often leads to the opposite: stress, emptiness, and a constant chase for "enough."
The good news is, once you can spot the Money Worship pattern, you can shift it. And that shift can change your relationship with money (and with yourself) as well as your bank account.
What Is the Money Worship Archetype?
At its core, Money Worship is the belief that more money = more happiness. It shows up in thoughts like:
"Money is the key to freedom."
"Things will get better once I make more money."
"I’ll feel secure when my bank account hits that next number."
It sounds logical, until you look at the research. Studies show that no matter how much money a Money Worshipper makes, they rarely feel it’s enough.
But how does someone become a Money Worshipper? Often, it starts with lived experiences and cultural messages:
- Growing up with financial instability can plant the belief that money is the ultimate fix.
- Media and cultural pressures glamorize wealth and tie it to self-worth.
- Early career struggles reinforce the idea that “more money” is the only path to safety.
Over time, these influences shape a script: that money is not just important—it’s everything.
Instead of providing peace, though, this mindset keeps people in a cycle of striving. They:
- Move the goalposts every time they hit a target.
- Tie self-worth to financial success.
- Spend impulsively, hoping purchases will "fix" something.
- Sacrifice health or relationships chasing the next paycheck.
And here’s the emotional trap: money becomes both the problem and the solution. When something feels missing, they chase money. Relief comes briefly, but before long, the cycle starts again.
How to Break Free: 5 Practical Shifts
The goal isn’t to reject money—it’s to reframe its role in your life. Money should be a tool that supports your values, not the measure of your worth.
Here are five practical steps to help shift out of Money Worship:
1. Redefine Success Beyond Dollars
Write down three non-financial measures of success—things like "time with family," "energy for my health," or "creativity in my work." Place them somewhere visible. This keeps your brain from equating money with the only metric that matters.
2. Pause Before Purchasing
Before making a non-essential purchase, wait 24–48 hours. Ask yourself: "What am I hoping this will give me emotionally?" Often, the desire is less about the item and more about needing comfort, validation, or relief.
3. Track Emotional Spending
Keep a small journal (or phone note) where you log not just what you spend, but how you feel before and after. Over time, you’ll see patterns—when stress, loneliness, or comparison are driving purchases—and gain back control.
4. Practice Gratitude for "Enough"
Each week, list three financial blessings you already have: maybe it’s being able to cover your bills, having supportive people around you, or simply enjoying a meal you didn’t have to worry about affording. Gratitude interrupts the "never enough" script.
5. Invest in Non-Monetary Joy
Schedule one activity each week that brings satisfaction without spending money: a walk in nature, a phone call with a friend, cooking a meal, or creative play. These "proof points" remind you that fulfillment doesn’t always carry a price tag.
Final Thought
Money Worship thrives on a powerful illusion: that happiness is just one more paycheck away. But when you step back, you realize the real work is about shifting the story you tell yourself about money, not about accumulating more.
While Money Worship is a learned survival strategy, it doesn’t bring lasting happiness. It keeps you stuck in a cycle of striving, anxiety, and never feeling like you have enough.
The shift happens when you:
- Recognize your money story.
- Pause and question impulsive decisions.
- Redefine success beyond your bank balance.
- Build small habits that prove joy isn’t bought.
- Stay rooted in values and relationships.
So before you file away this email or forward it to a friend, pick one step from the list above and do it before today ends. Then share your commitment with someone you trust—because change sticks better when it’s witnessed.
p.s. This is the second of an email series about the 4 money archetypes:
- Money Avoidance
- Money Worship (this issue)
- Money Status (next issue)
- Money Vigilance (following issue)
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